Intracoronary administration of autologous bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in a critically ill two-yr-old child with dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract:  DCM is the most common cardiomyopathy in childhood. Effectiveness of anticongestive therapy is limited in most cases and about one-third of children diagnosed with DCM die or receive heart transplantation within the first year after diagnosis. Cardiac stem cell transplantation has become a promising therapy to treat heart failure in adult patients. Based on these promising results, the cardiac stem cell therapy might also represent a new therapeutic option particularly in young children. The present case documents for the first time intracoronary administration of autologous bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in a critically ill two-yr-old child with severe heart failure caused by DCM. Because of progressive worsening of the clinical condition despite maximal anticongestive treatment, the decision to perform autologous stem cell therapy was made. Cardiac stem cell therapy proved to be technically feasible, was associated with improvement in cardiac function, and might represent an option before heart transplantation in children with severe heart failure.     

大剂量化疗结合外周血干细胞移植治疗横纹肌肉瘤疗效分析

目的对采用大剂量化疗结合自体外周血造血干细胞移植及免疫治疗的3例横纹肌肉瘤患儿的疗效进行观察。方法 3例横纹肌肉瘤患儿,年龄为3、10、14岁,强烈化疗5、6、11个周期,平均(7.33±3.21)个疗程;期间进行外周血造血干细胞采集、手术切除,然后进行自体外周血造血干细胞移植,术后行白介素-2治疗,复发者行普通化疗及局部放疗,定期随访。结果均顺利度过移植后骨髓抑制期,造血重建时间为13、14、15d,平均(13.33±0.58)d。术后随访8、12、17个月,3例患儿无病生存2/3,总生存率3/3。结论大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及白介素-2相结合治疗横纹肌肉瘤,在移植前达到部分缓解时可取得较好疗效,长期生存率较高。     

Successful treatment of unresectable advanced hepatoblastoma: Living liver transplantation after surgical removal of lung metastasis

Miyamura T, Yoshida R, Yagi T, Matsukawa H, Chayama K, Ishida T, Washio K, Morishita N, Oda M, Morishima T. Successful treatment of unresectable advanced hepatoblastoma: Living liver transplantation after surgical removal of lung metastasis.
Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: E87–E91. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Hepatoblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of the liver in children. Intensive combination chemotherapy has increased the number of surgically resectable cases and improved prognosis markedly. However, unresectable cases and cases with residual metastasis, including lung metastases, have a poor prognosis. In these refractory cases, treatment strategy has not been established. On the other hand, living liver transplantation has been shown to be effective in cases of advanced hepatoblastoma, but its effectiveness in cases with residual distant metastases after chemotherapy remains unclear. We report one successful case of advanced unresectable hepatoblastoma with multiple lung metastases. Intensive chemotherapy consisting of high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was not effective. We performed living liver transplantation after surgical resection of residual lung metastases, which were histologically viable. After liver transplantation, the level of tumor marker decreased gradually. The patient experienced no severe complications. This case suggested that living liver transplantation could be effective in cases of advanced refractory hepatoblastoma after control of distant metastases.     

A case of pediatric PTLD following autologous stem cell transplantation and review of the literature

Eckrich MJ, Frangoul H, Knight J, Mosse C, Domm J. A case of pediatric PTLD following autologous stem cell transplantation and review of the literature.
Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: E15–E18. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: The development of PTLD is a rare severe adverse event following ASCT. We report on a child with DS who developed PTLD following autologous transplant for relapsed Hodgkin’s disease. He was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide, prednisone and rituximab. We also present a comprehensive review of the literature of PTLD in pediatric patients following ASCT.     

大剂量化疗造血干细胞移植治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效研究

目的目前IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿无论采用何种方法治疗均疗效差,长期生存率低,需要探索新的治疗途径。该文采用大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗等方法,试图提高IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效。方法选择IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿28例,年龄2.1~11.5岁,平均3.3±1.9岁,发病时间1~7个月,平均3.1±0.7个月。原发部位:肾上腺23例,胸部3例,胸腹联合1例,骶骨1例。强烈化疗6疗程,期间进行外周血造血干细胞采集、手术切除,然后进行自体外周血造血干细胞移植,术后行局部放疗及13-顺式维甲酸治疗,定期随访。结果28例患儿诱导化疗结束时13例取得完全缓解,11例取得部分缓解,4例化疗中病情进展。完全缓解及部分缓解的24例患儿完成治疗进入本研究。随访3.5±0.7年,两组4年无病生存率29.2%。完全缓解组中位无复发生存时间4.1±0.7年;部分缓解组中位无复发生存时间2.8±0.5年,两组中位无复发生存时间差异有显著性(t=3.9,P<0.01)。结论大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤可取得较好疗效,4年无病生存率29.2%,移植前达到完全缓解时可取得更好疗效     

Smooth muscle tumor developing in an immunocompromised child after therapy for leukemia

We report a 5.5-year-old boy who underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia and who had two abdominal masses develop 6 months later. Macroscopically complete resection of the abdominal tumors was performed and revealed a well-differentiated leiomyosarcoma. Smooth muscle tumors, benign or malignant, are increasingly recognized in children with various immunodeficiencies; the association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rarely described.     

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and anti-B-cell directed immunotherapy for refractory auto-immune haemolytic anaemia

 We report the clinical course of a 6.5-year-old boy with refractory auto-immune haemolytic anaemia. Due to failure of conventional immunosuppressive therapy, an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed. The conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide and anti-thymocyte globulin. The patient was reinfused with 2.6 × 10⁶ CD34 positive selected, B- and T-cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cells per kg body weight. He showed a partial response with a reduced demand for red blood cell transfusions. However, due to persistence of the haemolytic process he was started on rituximab therapy on day +40 post-transplant. Following two doses of rituximab, the patient improved rapidly and developed a sustained complete response. After 10 months, haemolysis recurred and responded again to rituximab therapy without the necessity for red blood cell transfusions. 15 months after initial antibody treatment, however, the patient developed a second relapse which was now refractory to rituximab therapy although CD20+ B-lymphocytes were cleared from the peripheral blood. Conclusion Our case report suggests that rituximab and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation are important though not curative elements in the treatment of patients with severe auto-immune haemolytic anaemia who are refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Received: 11 January 2001 and in revised form: 17 March 2001 / Accepted: 27 March 2001     

Total parenteral nutrition associated with severe insulin resistance following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hemophagocytic syndrome: report on two cases

Suresh D, Athanassaki I, Jeha GS, Heptulla RA. Total parenteral nutrition associated with severe insulin resistance following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hemophagocytic syndrome: report on two cases.
Hyperglycemia secondary to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is reported in adults. In addition, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes as late consequences of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are well described. Both situations are generally manageable with traditional insulin dosing. We present two children who developed severe insulin resistance requiring intravenous insulin therapy at doses up to 13 units/kg/h. Both children were on TPN after undergoing HSCT for hemophagocytic syndrome. We believe that our report will alert physicians to such a condition and help with early recognition that is a key to successful intervention. These cases aim to increase awareness and stimulate research to unravel the associated underling mechanisms.     

Autologous stem cell transplant in a patient with Down syndrome and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk for the development of acute leukemia but they rarely develop other hematologic malignancies or solid tumors. Despite aggressive supportive care, DS patients have increased risk of treatment related morbidity and mortality compared to other children. There are few reported cases of Hodgkin disease in children with DS, and no reported cases of successful therapy for patients with relapsed disease. We report on a child with DS and relapsed Hodgkin disease who was successfully treated with high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1327–1328. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

大剂量化疗造血干细胞移植治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效研究

目的：目前IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿无论采用何种方法治疗均疗效差,长期生存率低,需要探索新的治疗途径。该文采用大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗等方法,试图提高IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效。方法：选择IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿28例,年龄2.1~11.5岁,平均3.3±1.9岁,发病时间1~7个月,平均3.1±0.7个月。原发部位:肾上腺23例,胸部3例,胸腹联合1例,骶骨1例。强烈化疗6疗程,期间进行外周血造血干细胞采集、手术切除,然后进行自体外周血造血干细胞移植,术后行局部放疗及13-顺式维甲酸治疗,定期随访。结果：28例患儿诱导化疗结束时13例取得完全缓解,11例取得部分缓解,4例化疗中病情进展。完全缓解及部分缓解的24例患儿完成治疗进入本研究。随访3.5±0.7年,两组4年无病生存率29.2%。完全缓解组中位无复发生存时间4.1±0.7年;部分缓解组中位无复发生存时间2.8±0.5年,两组中位无复发生存时间差异有显著性(t=3.9,P<0.01)。结论：大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤可取得较好疗效,4年无病生存率29.2%,移植前达到完全缓解时可取得更好疗效     

Autologous stem cell transplantation as treatment modality in a patient with relapsed pancreatoblastoma

Pancreatoblastoma (PB) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the pancreas, which occurs mostly during childhood. Presently, the optimal treatment strategy is neither clear nor uniform for patients in advanced stages, in particular those with metastasis, inoperable, or recurrent tumors. To our knowledge, until now, only one patient with PB has been treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) following aggressive chemotherapy and surgical resection. Here we report the second case of PB who was treated with aggressive chemotherapy combined with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:573–576. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Infectious complications postengrafment in the first year after autologous stem cell transplantation in children]

BACKGROUND: Studies on the infectious complications postengrafment in pediatric stem cell transplantation patients are rare. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, types, outcome and factors affecting late infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-institution retrospective analysis was done of infections recorded in the first year following engrafment in children who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation for solid tumors from January 1991 to December 2000. A systematic antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis of TMP/SMX was administered. Patients who were at high risk for varicella-zona virus infection received prophylactic acyclovir. RESULTS: Eighty-four assessable patients were enrolled. Fifty-four patients (64%) underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and 30 patients (36%) underwent bone marrow transplantation. Forty-nine episodes of infections were documented in 39 patients (46%) of whom 27 patients (32%) developed infections after the first 100 days post transplantation. Bacterial septicemia occurred in nine patients of whom four patients had a catheter-related septicemia. Twelve patients (14%) developed localized herpes zoster infection. Local fungal infection occurred in five patients. Infection-related death occurred in one patient with non-documented pneumonitis. Univariable analysis showed a correlation between the CD34(+) cell dose <7.5 10(6)/kg and the development of infections (P =0.04). Patients who did not go into remission after transplantation where at high risk for septicemia (P =0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that a history of varicella or pretransplant varicella-zona positivity was the only significant factor for development zoster infection (P =0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that infections in the first year postengrafment following autologous stem cell transplantation for solid tumors have a good prognosis and that the use of TMP/SMX should be the single systematic antimicrobial prophylaxis. The CD34(+) cell dose seems to play a role in preventing late infections.     

Depletion of alloreactive T cells for tolerance induction in a recipient of kidney and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations

Tangnararatchakit K, Tirapanich W, Anurathapan U, Tapaneya‐Olarn W, Pakakasama S, Jootar S, Slavin S, Hongeng S. Depletion of alloreactive T cells for tolerance induction in a recipient of kidney and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Abstract: The present case report represents a successful attempt to induce transplantation tolerance to organ allograft by combined administration of donor hematopoietic cells and kidney based on in vivo deletion of alloreactive host‐vs‐graft and graft‐vs‐host alloreactive T cells following non‐myeloablative conditioning. We were able to induce mixed and eventually full donor chimerism and tolerance of kidney allograft in a 15‐yr‐old male with ESRD after cisplatin treatment and autologous HSCT for mediastinal germ cell tumor. Our approach to induce tolerance was based on preferential depletion of alloreactive T cells induced by exposure to donor’s alloantigens and administration of cyclophosphamide at day 2 and day 3 after stem cell infusion. Additional non‐specific immunosuppression as part of the conditioning included exposure to two fractions of TLI, treatment with alemtuzumab (monoclonal anti‐CD52) and short‐term conventional IS treatment to avoid early graft loss, because of request of IRB. Using this approach, with rapid tapering of all conventional IS treatment, the patient maintains good renal functions without evidence of both acute and chronic rejection for 32 months off all medications.     

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen in infants: experience at a single institution in Mexico

The authors report their experience with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in infants at a university hospital in México. Five infants had one of each of the following diagnoses: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, osteopetrosis for which the patient underwent 2 procedures, acute disseminated multiorgan Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and two cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The source of stem cells for grafting in 2 children was peripheral blood, and in 3 children was unrelated cord blood. A reduced-intensity conditioning regimen including fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and melphalan was administrated. Three patients are disease-free transplant survivors without graft-versus-host disease after 46, 34, and 16 months.     

脐血总有核细胞数对脐血移植疗效的影响

目的：探讨脐血总有核细胞（TNC）剂量对脐血移植疗效的影响。方法：34例血液病患儿接受脐血移植,按照输注平均脐血总TNC数分为3组: TNC>10×107/kg 组7例、10×107/kg >TNC≥7×107/kg组9例、TNC10×107/kg 组7例,均获得长期稳定植入,平均中性粒细胞计数（ANC）>0.5×109/L时间为14.8（12~20）d,PLT>50×109/L时间为52.3（26~86）d,处于无病存活状态。10×107/kg >TNC≥7×107/kg组9例,7例获得植入,平均ANC>0.5×109/L时间为16.4（11~30）d,PLT>50×109/L时间为63.7 (34~140) d;4例获得长期稳定植入,无病存活;2例重型β-地中海贫血患者植入后出现排斥,恢复自身造血;1例植入后死亡;1例移植后早期死亡。TNC0.5×109/L时间为19.5（10~29）d,PLT>50×109/L时间为70.1 (47~116) d;8例长期稳定植入,无病存活,2例重型β-地中海贫血患者在植入后出现移植排斥,自身造血功能恢复;6例植入后死亡;2例未植入。结论：脐血TNC剂量是影响脐血移植中造血干细胞植入时间和嵌合状态的重要因素。增加输注的TNC细胞数可提高脐血移植成功率。［中国当代儿科杂志,2010,12（7）：551-556］     

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in children undergoing hematopoetic stem cell transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality after hematopoetic stem cell transplantations (HSCT). The purpose of the study was to analyze risk factors of CMV disease in children undergoing HSCT. A total of 110 children who undergone hematopoetic stem cells transplantation were analyzed. In 16 patients (14.5%) CMV antigenemia in white blood cells was diagnosed. Most patients with CMV infection had undergone alloHSCT; one patient had undergone autologous transplantation. Second CMV reactivation in 4 of 16 patients was observed. Acute GvHD occurred in 11/15 patients. Early onset of CMV infection in 13/16 patients and late onset in 3/16 patients were diagnosed. CMV serological status of the donor and recipient before transplantation in children with CMV antigenemia was analyzed. The risk factors of CMV infection in analyzed group of children were type of transplant, recipient seropositivity before transplantation, and presence and intensity of GvHD. In most cases reactivation of CMV infection was diagnosed. CMV infection can also occur in the late post-transplantation period. CMV reactivation can occur in patients after autologous HSCT.     

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING HEMATOPOETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality after hematopoetic stem cell transplantations (HSCT). The purpose of the study was to analyze risk factors of CMV disease in children undergoing HSCT. A total of 110 children who undergone hematopoetic stem cells transplantation were analyzed. In 16 patients (14.5%) CMV antigenemia in white blood cells was diagnosed. Most patients with CMV infection had undergone alloHSCT; one patient had undergone autologous transplantation. Second CMV reactivation in 4 of 16 patients was observed. Acute GvHD occurred in 11/15 patients. Early onset of CMV infection in 13/16 patients and late onset in 3/16 patients were diagnosed. CMV serological status of the donor and recipient before transplantation in children with CMV antigenemia was analyzed. The risk factors of CMV infection in analyzed group of children were type of transplant, recipient seropositivity before transplantation, and presence and intensity of GvHD. In most cases reactivation of CMV infection was diagnosed. CMV infection can also occur in the late post-transplantation period. CMV reactivation can occur in patients after autologous HSCT.     

Severity of Mitral Regurgitation Predicts Risk of Death or Cardiac Transplantation in Children With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Clinical outcomes among children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) are diverse, which makes the decision as to when a patient should be listed for a cardiac transplantation challenging. This study aimed to determine echocardiographic and clinical variables that can help clinicians identify those at highest risk for death or cardiac transplantation. The study was a single-center, retrospective chart review of children with IDC. Patients younger than 18 years with a diagnosis of IDC, as defined by a left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) z-score higher than 2, and fractional shortening of less than 28 % on the initial echocardiogram, were included in the study. Echocardiographic parameters including mitral regurgitation (MR) grade and certain clinical parameters at the time of presentation were assessed. A follow-up echocardiogram was similarly studied. The study included 49 children with IDC. Those who died or underwent cardiac transplantation were grouped as “nonsurvivors” (n = 26). The remaining children who either completely recovered or experienced chronic dilated cardiomyopathy were grouped as “survivors” (n = 23). The median age overall was 1.25 years (range 0.1–17 years). The follow-up echocardiograms of the survivors showed significant improvement in left ventricle size, systolic function, left atrial volume, and MR grade, whereas these parameters did not change in the nonsurvivor group. The use of inotropic medications at initial presentation was an independent predictor of death or cardiac transplantation (p < 0.05). The presence of moderate to severe MR at diagnosis also was predictive of a worse outcome.     

Successful early intervention for hyperacute transplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Jodele S, Bleesing JJ, Mehta PA, Filipovich AH, Laskin BL, Goebel J, Pinkard SL, Davies SM. Successful early intervention for hyperacute transplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy following pediatric hematopietic stem cell transplantation.
Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: E39–E42. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: TA‐TMA is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, presenting as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with severe renal injury and mortality as high as 60%. Diagnosis and treatment of TA‐TMA is very challenging after HSCT because anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, and renal impairment are multifactorial, leading to delayed recognition and management of this complication. We report a successful outcome following early intervention for hyperacute TA‐TMA after allogeneic HSCT.